Like most European countries, Austria looks back on a very eventful history. Yet there are some elements of the Austrian character that haven’t changed much over the centuries: the partiality for indulgence, beauty, and cultivation have always been driving forces in the country’s past and present...

Otto's rambles will cover some of the best places to drink beer and soak up the culture of this beautiful country.

Special beer: full-strength beers with an original wort of at least 12.5 degrees

Wheat beer: made using at least 50% wheat malt

Zwickel: unfiltered, made cloudy by the yeast and insoluble proteins

One of Austria’s traditional brewing regions is the “Mühlviertel”, between the Danube and the Bohemian Forest, which produces a wealth of fine beers. This region includes Austria’s only monastery brewery in Schlägel Abbey, the country’s oldest brewery, the Gutsbrauhof in St. Martin, the long-established Municipal Braucommune in Freistadt, and countless castle breweries, palace breweries and other small breweries. (Click on the map opposite to find out more about Austria).